Delighted to be taking part in the blog tour for Madeline Dyer with her very personal book Captive. I was drawn to it when I had seen a couple of posts about it and had to give it a read. I was drawn in because of my own love for writing poetry and to see whether I could relate to the author when writing about OCD, Psychosis and Brain Inflammation. Although not the same in anyway, I have battled with anxiety and depression as well as my own health conditions.
Blurb
“I just want to get better and see the stars and believe in hope again.”
Captive, Madeline Dyer’s first poetry collection, is based on the therapy writings she produced when she was experiencing psychosis and OCD due to Autoimmune Basal Ganglia Encephalitis, a rare type of brain inflammation caused by the immune system attacking the brain. While her communication skills and cognitive abilities diminished due to the effects of the inflammation, she was able to share her thoughts and emotions via the written word, a process that gave her great comfort when she otherwise felt possessed.Captive provides readers with a glimpse of her tormented mind during this dark time of loneliness, loss, and fear.
My review
I have to commend Madeline for writing such an emotional book, I felt like I was opened up to a very personal part of Madeline’s life. Reading it was hard in parts because of this, it’s raw, honest and sometimes lost for words.
Two of the poems stuck out the most to me; When I can’t control the monster and Alone. I could relate to the words and I took my own message from them. I think a lot more people will be able to relate to her poems then you would initially think. This collection offers you the chance to learn but also to think about if we can relate in our own ways.
It is not an easy read but I managed to digest it in a few sittings. I felt some of it was repetitive and I desperately wanted to have some kind and welcoming words but the reality of it sets in and this is how life can be.
A recommended read from me and make sure you look after yourself when you do.
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